The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, and INTO general secretary Senator Joe O'Toole have said they will have an "exploratory meeting" before the end of next week to discuss the issues surrounding the current primary schools dispute.
During the past 36 hours they have appeared in public together on two occasions as the atmosphere surrounding the INTO's industrial action over funding and staffing shortages became noticeably more conciliatory. The first was on Monday night's RTE Prime Time, and the second was at the launch of an educational software package at the INTO's offices in Dublin.
However, in a statement yesterday, the Minister stressed that the INTO's industrial action could not be justified, "particularly in the light of the Government fulfilling its pre-election promises on primary education".
Teachers at two more schools - at Ferrybank in Waterford city and Redhills, Co Cavan - staged one-day strikes yesterday. The CBS Dundalk will go on strike today.